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Of the 61 NHL records Wayne Gretzky set or shared the one he's most proud of is scoring 50 goals in 39 games.

Gretzky's magical 1981-82 run to become the fastest NHL player to 50 goals is chronicled in Unbreakable: 50 Goals in 39 Games, Wayne Gretzky and the Story of Hockey's Greatest Record. It's the latest offering from former Examiner sports writer Mike Brophy and co-author Todd Denault, of Cobourg. The Penguin Random House Canada release launches Tuesday in all major book stores.

There are 39 chapters profiling each game in Gretzky's journey to shatter the previous record of 50 goals in 50 games shared by Maurice (Rocket) Richard and Mike Bossy.

Brophy, who recently retired from full-time work after a lengthy writing and broadcasting career, said he once asked Gretzky if he had a favourite record.

“He said 'Yes, I do. The 50 in 39 is most special to me,'” recalled Brophy. “Right away the light went on for me. I could do a book on that and make each chapter one of the 39 games.”

He enlisted Denault, who has authored books on Jacques Plante and the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Montreal Canadiens and Soviet Red Army, as co-author and research partner.

Brophy has always had an interest in iconic goals and records. He wrote a 2011 book on the first NHL goals by 50 players.

“I'm a sucker for records that I think will never be broken,” said Brophy. “I look at Glenn Hall and his 502 consecutive starts and I think to myself, that just can't possibly be broken. I think Wayne Gretzky's single-season goal record of 92 will never be broken. The way the game is played now the NHL had one 50 goal scorer last year.

“That's what fascinates me about the 50 in 39. First of all, I think it's a record that will never be broken. The thing I like about the record is the fact he obliterated the previous record. He didn't just get 50 goals in 49 games, which would have been cool. There still would have been a lot of publicity, but nothing compared to 50 in 39.”

Brophy interviewed Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers teammates like Mark Messier and Paul Coffey and opposing players. One of the more interesting elements, he said, was the wide variety of linemates Gretzky played with that season, for various reasons.

“Dave Lumley played on his line and scored goals in 12 straight games. Dave Lumley,” he said with emphasis. “That's absolutely unbelievable. I talked to Dave about it and he knew he was just along for the ride with Wayne. That's not to take anything away from Dave's ability, but really, in his career he was known as a checker and a guy who would go out and cause friction. I don't know how many guys in NHL history got goals in 12 consecutive games, but I'd say there would probably only be a handful,” said Brophy.

There are some surprising facts about Gretzky's 39-game span. He didn't score in the first two games of the season, had a four-game scoring drought from game 27 to 30 and failed to score in 11 games.

In the wake of the buzz created by Auston Matthews's four-goal NHL debut last Tuesday, consider that Gretzky had three four-goal games in those 39 games and five goals in that final game. In fact, Gretzky scored nine goals in the last two games, a four-goal night followed by five against the Philadelphia Flyers and goalie Pete Peeters. It completed a stretch of 15 goals in five games.

“His dad was planning to come and follow him when he got close to the record. When he broke the record Walter was still home in Brantford. I mean, when you're chasing a record who goes out and gets nine goals in two games,” queried Brophy.

NOTE: Mike Brophy, who spent 14 years at The Examiner from 1978 to 1992, will be in Peterborough for a book signing at Chapters Nov. 23 from 7 to 8 p.m.